ISLE OF IONA - this tiny island, off the southwest coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, Is top of my list of favourite places. It is only 1.5 miles wide by 3 miles long, with a population of around 120 permanent residents, but everyone talks about the magical nature of this seat of Scottish Christianity where St. Columba founded his Abbey in 563AD. Later it became a place of pilgrimage and learning, and over 40 of Scotland's earliest kings were buried there.

Dramatic lighting in this view of Iona Abbey

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A visit that has stayed etched on my memory was a few days after the dreadful 9/11 attack. It was the most perfect September day you could have asked for - sunny blue skies, a calm deep blue sea, a panorama of hills and the seals bobbing around the ferry. The atmosphere was strangely quiet and subdued. There were many American tourists on the boat, and people were going up to them to shake their hands and extend their sympathy. It is amazing that even though the boat seemed busy, visitors spread out on the small island and it seems as if you have the place to yourself. It was so peaceful - a beautiful haven in what suddenly seemed then a very evil world. On later visits we enjoyed exploring the island, looking out from the west coast onto the Atlantic and pondering - next stop Canada. And if you think it always rains in Scotland, think again when you see the wonderful skies and seas in these photographs of very happy memories. We were very lucky with the weather"

About Me

I have been interested in family history for years. It all began when I was allowed as a child to look through the old family photographs and memorabilia kept in a shoebox in the cupboard at my grandfather's house. That treat started me on a fascinating ancestral trail.